What's my status? Understanding your profile activation
Suppose you're waiting for your Instawork profile to be activated or wondering about shift availability in your area. In that case, this article explains the review process and how to find opportunities near you.
How profile activation works
Instawork carefully reviews each profile to ensure businesses get qualified, reliable Professionals. Your profile status depends on:
1. The completeness of your profile
2. Verification of your work experience
3. Your professional references (when applicable)
4. The positions you've applied for
Instawork availability across markets
Instawork is available in most major markets across the United States. However, the number and types of shifts you'll see depend on:
- How many business partners we have in your specific area
- Which industries are most active in your location
- Seasonal demand in your region
- The positions you're approved for
If you're not seeing many shifts in your area, it may be because:
- We're still growing our partner network in your specific location
- Your approved positions aren't in high demand locally
- You may need to expand your travel radius in your settings
The importance of professional references
While references are no longer required for all positions, they remain valuable for verifying your experience and can help fast-track your profile activation.
Strong professional references
- Verify your work experience and skills
- Come from managers and colleagues (not friends or family)
- Include specific details about your job responsibilities
- Highlight your professional strengths
We recommend adding at least two professional references to strengthen your profile, especially if you're applying for skilled positions.
How to add professional references
To add references to your profile:
1. Open the Instawork app
2. Go to your Profile
3. Scroll down to the "References" section
4. Tap "Add Reference"
5. Enter your reference's contact information
6. Select your relationship (manager, colleague, etc.)
7. Indicate where you worked together
Your references will be asked to confirm your work experience and provide feedback about your skills and professionalism.
Other ways to strengthen your profile
These elements help your profile get activated faster and improve your access to shifts:
- Complete work history: Add all relevant experience with detailed descriptions
- Professional profile photo: Upload a clear, professional headshot
- Position-specific quizzes: Complete any available skill assessments
- Required certifications: Upload certificates relevant to your positions
- Verified contact information: Ensure your phone and email are verified
- Expanded travel radius: Adjust your settings to see shifts in a wider area
Finding more shifts in your area
If you're not seeing many shifts in your area:
- Apply for additional positions you're qualified for
- Check the app regularly, as new shifts are added daily
- Expand your travel radius in your notification settings
- Build a strong rating history to improve your shift access